Hometeam: No. 2 Algonquin uses experience to top No. 7 North

Saturday

Mar 2, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Tom Flanagan CORRESPONDENT

The North High girls’ basketball team fought all season to reach the Central Mass. Division 1 Tournament, while Algonquin Regional was a shoo-in for postseason play, and just last week got a taste of playoff pressure in the championship of the Westboro Invitational Tournament.

The teams met Friday night in a quarterfinal, and experience — coupled with a dominant first-half run — proved be the difference as the Tomahawks cruised to a 62-20 win over the visiting Polar Bears.

“We’re pressing a lot (defensively) because we have a group of athletic kids,” said Algonquin coach Ron Jones, whose team had a 40-17 lead at halftime. “We work hard, and we have a little bit of depth.”

The Algonquin depth was on display early and often, as 10 Tomahawks scored.

It was the Algonquin pressure defense that was the catalyst for the game-opening 14-0 run. The spurt was bookended by junior guard Amanda Murphy, who opened the game and closed the surge with almost identical plays — a steal in the backcourt followed by an easy layup.

Murphy had six of the game’s first 14 points, and finished with a team-high 13. Senior center Sarah Merchant also came up big to start the game, converting a pair of inside buckets, including one off an offensive rebound.

“North has really come a long way,” Jones said. “They haven’t been in the tournament in a long time, and (Stephon Cherry) is a good coach. He has them playing hard, and they’re only going to get better.”

The Polar Bears got on the board on a Jami Alonzo bucket and had their best offensive showing late in the second quarter when Shayla Connors and Camry Davis each knocked down a trey.

The Midland A champion Tomahawks know it won’t be easy the third time they face Wachusett.

“We’re excited to be part of the final four, but we know it’s tough to beat a good team three times,” Jones said. “We need to be prepared.”

Contact Tom Flanagan at sports@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @tgsports